- The company, present in 11 countries, has chosen Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport to inaugurate SELF, the first robotic restaurant with AI in an airport in the world.
- Developed with Spanish innovation and engineering, SELF marks a milestone in the deployment of robotization and AI in the travel catering sector and reaffirms Areas’ vocation and capacity for transformation and innovation.
- SELF works alongside the human team to assist customers, delivering a unique and differentiated experience during their trip while offering the most in-demand products at airports.
- The new store is located in the commercial area in Terminal 1, next to boarding gate B24 at the Barcelona airport, part of the Aena network, and covers 137 m2.
- This project concludes extensive market research carried out over several years designed to respond to the growing and demanding requirements of new traveler profiles.
Barcelona, January 31st, 2025.
Areas, a leading Spanish multinational company in the food&beverage and travel retail industry with its global headquarters in Barcelona, has chosen Barcelona airport to open SELF, the first robotic restaurant with artificial intelligence in an airport in the world.
SELF is in the commercial area at Terminal 1 next to gate B24 and is 137 m2. Its offering focuses on the products most in demand at the airport, such as coffees, premium sandwiches, juices, pastries, salads and pokes, desserts and soft drinks, as well as unique recipes, all prepared daily to ensure freshness and quality in each.
Investment in innovation
SELF has been developed entirely with Spanish innovation and engineering by IJRRobótica and AEV and in collaboration with tech partners such as MasterCard, AEV, Kuka, ICG; FMCG brands such as Mahou San Miguel, Coca-Cola, Frit Ravich, Lavazza, Montaraz, Gufresco, Danone, Evian, García de Pou and, finally, with design and architecture experts such as GAC 3000 and Espluga + associates.
This new project at Barcelona airport culminates a process of several years during which Areas carried out studies and extensive market research to respond to the growing and demanding requirements of new traveler profiles and surprise them with this new experience.
SELF is a concept designed to offer travelers a new experience, with agile and efficient service. It uses a robotic arm with a claw and five tactile fingers to optimally manage and deliver orders. When the customer gets to the restaurant, they select their products and pay (easy orders), and are issued a ticket with a number and QR code. SELF prepares and organizes orders in trays to speed up delivery, notifying the customer on screen when their order is ready for pickup. The staff is always available to help in the dining room or with take-out orders.
SELF can handle up to six orders at the same time and helps the human team provide guests with better and more personalized service.
SELF is highly efficient at managing inventory and procurement, operating autonomously but in close collaboration with the team. SELF is equipped with advanced AI and a machine vision camera, which learns and makes optimal decisions in real time, allowing it to “see” and adapt to the environment to improve service quality and speed.
The collaboration between Areas, Aena and the strategic partners involved in the project has made it possible to implement SELF at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, one of the busiest airports in Spain and Europe, providing travelers with a unique and differentiated experience during their time at the airport.
Sergio Rodríguez, CEO of Areas Iberia, said that “this project marks a milestone in food&beverage and travel retail and reaffirms our entrepreneurial spirit, capacity for innovation and transformational vocation to lead new trends in the industry.” He adds that “Areas is a leader in this industry and one of our main goals is to offer travelers the best possible experience through pioneering projects, new service models and advanced technological solutions that optimize operational processes and improve their customer experience.”
Commitment to sustainability
Areas has also implemented a number of initiatives at the facility in line with its “Areas for Change” strategy, which reinforce its firm commitment to sustainability. The main actions include the adoption of highly energy-efficient systems such as the installation of LED technology, the use of packaging made from 100% recyclable FSC-certified paper, and our collaboration with Clothink to design uniforms, using garments made from organic cotton.